rub the wrong way
rub the wrong way {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make (someone) a little angry; do something not liked by (someone); annoy; bother.
John's bragging rubbed the other boys the wrong way.
Mother's friend called Harold a little boy, and that rubbed Harold the wrong way.
Compare: AGAINST THE GRAIN (2).
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
